EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Police Department celebrated the graduation of its 139th academy class on Friday at the Starlight Event Center.
Among the graduates is Joseph Gonzalez, who expressed pride in his accomplishment and gratitude to his family.
“Today means a lot. I mean, I’m really proud of myself and proud of my family that helped me through this process,” Gonzalez said.
Reflecting on his journey, Gonzalez shared, “Since I was 18 years old, I was working out of town. I was away from my family. And I just decided that I didn’t want that. I wanted to come back to my hometown, serve my community, and respect others.”
The eight-month training academy was described by Gonzalez as a challenging but rewarding experience.
“It’s a long process, honestly, eight months, as you can see. But it’s harsh. But once you learn that and you keep pushing, you’re all right,” he said.
Gonzalez is set to begin his duties as a peace officer on Sunday, coinciding with Super Bowl Sunday.
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